Your opinion of Montale's Dark Aoud?

I'm new to oud frags and, to be honest, I find Montale's offerings very strong and rather unpleasant. However, I decided to try a sample of Dark Aoud and, after letting it dry down, I quite like it. I wondered what your view is of this fragrance, and how closely it resembles genuine oud?

Re: Your opinion of Montale's Dark Aoud?

It's still very nice, an hour or two in. But it's faded really quickly! I thought it would have monstrous longevity. Lovely and rich, though. Wish I could find somewhere that sells it cheap here in the UK.

Re: Your opinion of Montale's Dark Aoud?

Originally Posted by Fragmeister

It's still very nice, an hour or two in. But it's faded really quickly! I thought it would have monstrous longevity. Lovely and rich, though. Wish I could find somewhere that sells it cheap here in the UK.

Getting it directly from Montale is normally the best bet. EUR100 (around £85) and you get free Extra 20ml and also free extra concentration.

I have 4 from Montale and I enjoy them all very much, Black Aoud being my favorite.

It's the spiritual odour of New York's infamous Mineshaft, circa 1980--a venue where any cologne (save amyl nitrate) was absolutely verboten! I can't smell it without feeling the "urge to merge". Use sparingly...or not! Wonderful juice, truly spectacular, and about as subtle as a hammer to the head. Not for the timid.

Re: Your opinion of Montale's Dark Aoud?

Getting it directly from Montale is normally the best bet. EUR100 (around £85) and you get free Extra 20ml and also free extra concentration.

I have 4 from Montale and I enjoy them all very much, Black Aoud being my favorite.

Should I go for Dark Aoud?

Dark aoud is amazing,on my skin it lasts longer than black aoud and projects much better.I believe it's cheaper to order it from allavioletta.tom if you spend over 150 euros delivery is free,while montale will charge you 18 euros,plus they're always 5-10 euros cheaper than ordering it direct from montale.I ordered full incense from montale Paris last week and received it today,I asked for extra perfume oil but they sent it in normal concentration(which I already have).

Re: Your opinion of Montale's Dark Aoud?

Originally Posted by Fragmeister

It's still very nice, an hour or two in. But it's faded really quickly! I thought it would have monstrous longevity. Lovely and rich, though. Wish I could find somewhere that sells it cheap here in the UK.

First time I wore it I thought it faded fast...but I was wrong. Later wearings worked perfectly with great longevity and sillage.

Re: Your opinion of Montale's Dark Aoud?

Originally Posted by impdaddee

...It's the spiritual odour of New York's infamous Mineshaft, circa 1980--a venue where any cologne (save amyl nitrate) was absolutely verboten! I can't smell it without feeling the "urge to merge". Use sparingly...or not! Wonderful juice, truly spectacular, and about as subtle as a hammer to the head. Not for the timid.

Wow. Interesting description.

I am ashamed to admit (as a long time fan of Black Aoud) that I've never smelled Dark Aoud.

How would you all compare it to Aoud Cuir d'Arabie?

"When you become comfortable with uncertainty. infinite possibilities open up in your life"

Re: Your opinion of Montale's Dark Aoud?

Agree with others here: this one is thick, dry, resinous, dark, and very robust. It's also surprisingly easy to like, given all that. I have a 10ml decant and given its potency, I think that'll last me a very long time!

Re: Your opinion of Montale's Dark Aoud?

I am ashamed to admit (as a long time fan of Black Aoud) that I've never smelled Dark Aoud.

How would you all compare it to Aoud Cuir d'Arabie?

Hi, Mike. Dark Aoud's very dry, aromatic, inky, resinous, modern black-colored nature keeps it pretty far from Aoud Cuir d'Arabie territory, which for me has that rich, leathery, sort of fecal barnyard mixed with deep red rose (I realize this is not in the note list though that's my story and I'm sticking to it) character that makes me think of regal, luxurious colors like gold, brown and deep red. It's worth a sniff for sure, though I'd choose Black Musk over it in a split second. Incidentally, after smelling rich fragrances like Santal 33 or something like SL Santal de Mysore, one wonders where in the world the sandalwood is in the stark, almost outer space-like Dark Aoud. It is in a fragrance world of its own in a way.

Re: Your opinion of Montale's Dark Aoud?

I am ashamed to admit (as a long time fan of Black Aoud) that I've never smelled Dark Aoud.

How would you all compare it to Aoud Cuir d'Arabie?

I haven't got the foggiest notion, as I haven't smelled Aoud Cuir d'Arabie. It's on my test list...just haven't gotten to it yet. I shall advance it up the queue, as your question reveals some of your thoughts about it.

(I love Black Aoud too, but can't think of a single venue I'd wear it in. It goes unpurchased, but I sometimes bring the sample out when no one's around. My pleasure alone.)

Re: Your opinion of Montale's Dark Aoud?

Just put some on. The first few seconds tickled the right places, now it's very nice, somewhat medicinal/chemical. Wouldn't call it all that dark so far (but then I found Rien a sweet, incense scent mainly, maybe my nose doesn't work lol). Actually it may get a little darker as I type. Not bad at all. Just wish I had a spray sample not a dab on.

Re: Your opinion of Montale's Dark Aoud?

Together with Aoud Cuir D'Arabie, Dark Aoud is one of my favorites from Montale. I find it very distant from original ouds oil but it's good nonetheless if you're into stark and extremely dry fragrances.

Re: Your opinion of Montale's Dark Aoud?

smells like a sexy louie vaton wallet . Nuff said i like it .

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Well i feel i have to break thru the hype for a sec and recant my last post . It is kinda a weird smelling fragrence that is kinda a hard ware for me . Not a every day fragrence and i regret getting a full bottle of it. I still do like it but i dont see this getting the likes from the ladies. I fragrence fanatic will love this but its not for me. I engoy fresh outgoing fragrences more in youthfull sence. This stuff is kinda stank. Peppie le pue will love this stuff. Dont listen to the hype try before you buy this one.

Re: Your opinion of Montale's Dark Aoud?

Originally Posted by bloodhound.md

smells like a sexy louie vaton wallet . Nuff said i like it .

- - - Updated - - -

Well i feel i have to break thru the hype for a sec and recant my last post . It is kinda a weird smelling fragrence that is kinda a hard ware for me . Not a every day fragrence and i regret getting a full bottle of it. I still do like it but i dont see this getting the likes from the ladies. I fragrence fanatic will love this but its not for me. I engoy fresh outgoing fragrences more in youthfull sence. This stuff is kinda stank. Peppie le pue will love this stuff. Dont listen to the hype try before you buy this one.

I've been back and forth with this thing. At the moment I am really loving it again. It went from this "weird" dark fragrance to this really sweet woods fragrance that is addicting.

Put it down and come back to it in a few days.

I know what you mean though. Great smell but what shoes go with it...right ? LOL

Re: Your opinion of Montale's Dark Aoud?

My perspective on Dark Aoud has shifted a bit after trying out Acqua di Parma Colonia Intensa Oud on skin yesterday. Basically, the AdP reminded me a lot of the Montale, albeit a more-refined, quiet composition. The oud note was very similar, and in both cases it's set off against dry woods. Because I already have a decant of Dark Aoud, I'm not as tempted by the AdP as I would be, though there's a richness and sweetness in the opening (and warmed-skin moments) of the AdP that I prefer. Since trying the AdP, I see Dark Aoud as a bit rough and rowdy, certainly more baldly synthetic, and trickier to pull off. I still like it, but less is more for me.